Fence post anchor and method of installation

ABSTRACT

A fence post anchor that is easily integrally fabricated and attachable onto any type of fence post of choice. The anchor includes a bottom section that functions as a platform and an outwardly projecting spade section that provides strength and stability for the post. The anchor is pivot able between an installed position and an uninstalled position. Most importantly, the anchor automatically self-sets upon installation.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to improved fence installation and/or construction. However, more particularly the invention pertains to an anchor apparatus that is used in conjunction with fence posts, namely corner, end, dead-man, gateposts, etc. and greatly increases their strength and stability. The anchor apparatus is easy to attach/install and more importantly is simple to use as it is self-setting so as to automatically assume the proper position when installed. Also, the anchor apparatus is cost effective to manufacture as it is simply fabricated from only one piece and two attachment flanges.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Within the known prior art there have been numerous attempts to provide stronger and more durable fences braces and/or fence posts. It has been recognized that fence posts in particular are subjected to strong horizontal and vertical stresses resulting in lifting of the fence post. Thereafter, the fence is no longer functional as a reliable barrier and defeats the entire purpose of the fence. Therefore, there is a great need for an improved fencepost anchor that is cost effective, time-saving and most importantly strong, stable and durable and heretofore this has not been accomplished nor available.

It is well known that the most effective means for resolving the issue of reducing the strength of a first directional force is to apply an equal opposing directional force. Thus, the resulting opposing forces counteract each other in an effective manner. However, application of an equal opposing force has been difficult to achieve in this scenario as each fence post is subjected to unpredictable and variable forces caused from wires, hot and cold temperatures, animal pressure, falling debris, etc., all of which contribute to failure of the fence post. With this in mind, variable apparatuses, brackets and devices have been attempted but they each have inherent disadvantages of which the present invention recognizes and overcomes.

The most obvious disadvantage within the known prior art is that every device is constructed to be attached onto the sides of the post via various attachment means and all of the vertical and horizontal stresses are transferred directly thereto. Thus the functionality of the device itself is completely reliant upon the durability and strength of the attachment means. Thus, breakage of the attachment means is most common and this is the greatest cause of failure and malfunction associated with the prior art. Therefore, there is a great need for a fence post anchor that evenly distributes opposing forces and stress onto the device itself rather than directly totally onto the attachment means.

No known prior art achieves an additional upward directional force onto the post and/or anchor and this proves to be an extremely advantageous improvement resulting in not only stress distribution but more importantly self setting of the anchor. The present invention provides a secure horizontal platform that has a flush mating relationship with the underside of the post. Whereby, the underside of the post rests on a secure smooth level surface that is free from any obstructions such as pebbles or the like. Also, the platform is unitarily integrally formed having an outwardly upwardly projecting spade. Thus, when the platform and the underside of the post are installed a direct upward force is achieved and this automatically actuates the spade outwardly into the proper position and self sets.

For reference, an example of known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 4,663,902, of which implements a fence post anchor consisting of a spade made from sheet metal and is attachable onto a fence post via a strap. Unfortunately, in use the U.S. Pat. No. 4,663,902 configuration has proven to be most inefficient as the strap is simply not strong enough to withstand against the opposing forces. More importantly, the spade itself easily disengages and breaks away from the strap mainly caused by the cantilevered design and also to the flimsy attachment means. U.S. Pat. No. 3,012,644 is another type of anchor of which incorporates use of two opposing flukes that are pivot ably attached onto the sides of a circular fence post. Again, in function all of the stress is applied directly onto the attachment means itself, thus resulting in release of the flukes and failure of the anchor. Also, the anchor includes additional steel cables for actuating the flukes into an open position of which the present invention totally eliminates the need for.

Other types of fence post anchors are taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,635, No. 4,682,761, No. 5,395,184 and No. 3,809,346. All of which attempt to resolve the stability problems by incorporating some type of a rod or multiple rods that are manually driven into the ground for additional support. These are somewhat functional for their intended use but still are difficult to install, are not cost effective, require additional tools, etc., and are most inefficient when compared to the present invention.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a fence post anchor that is easily manufactured from a novel shaped main body portion that is pivot ably interconnected onto the underside of a fence post with two opposing attachment flanges.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fence post anchor that is easy to install and is functional with any type of fence post of choice, including square or circular shapes and/or those of various widths and lengths, etc.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide, a fence post anchor that not only greatly increases stability but is also very durable having a long lifespan.

Yet a very important object of the present invention is to provide a fence post anchor that is simplified for the workman as the anchor automatically sets itself into an open position when the fence post is installed, thus eliminating any guesswork for the workman. This is achieved by both upward and outward forces automatically incurred during installation.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a fence post anchor that eliminates the need for any specialized tools and/or equipment such as associated with the prior art.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent when taken into consideration with the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is substantially a right side overview of the fence post anchor.

FIG. 2 is substantially a left side overview of the fence post anchor.

FIG. 3 is substantially right side overview of the fence post anchor when attached onto a fence post when in an uninstalled position.

FIG. 4 is substantially right side overview of the fence post anchor when attached onto a fence post when in an installed position within a post hole.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now in detail to the drawings wherein like characters refer to like elements throughout the various views as follows. Within each of the views (10) represents an overview of the preferred embodiment for the fence post anchor of the present invention. It is to be understood that the fence post anchor (10) can be made of any suitable material of engineering choice such as but not limited to sheet metal, steel, aluminium, plastic, etc. Also, the shape and size is of engineering choice as many variables are inherent. In general the present fence post anchor comprises a unitary integrally formed body member (12) which when fabricated forms a lower section in the shape of a horizontal platform (14) and an upper section in the shape of a spade (16). At the point of manufacture the unitary integrally formed body member (12) is substantially stamped and cut from a flat piece of sheet metal or the like. When cut, two opposed slices are formed leaving an interconnecting central portion there between that is to be folded until attaining the angle of engineering choice, thus forming the lower section and the upper section. Thereafter, the unitary integrally formed body member (12) is shaped accordingly. Namely, forming the horizontal platform (14) having an upward projecting right side edge (18) and an upward projecting left side edge (20) of which are opposed to each other. The upward projecting right side edge (18) is depicted in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 while the upward projecting left side edge is only shown in FIG. 2. As further depicted the anchor (10) when formed also includes the spade (16) having a downward angled right side edge (22) (only depicted by ghost lines in FIG. 1) and a downward angled left side edge (24) (only depicted by host lines in FIG. 2).

The anchor (10) further including a right side attachment flange (26) as depicted in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 and a left side attachment flange (28) only depicted in FIG. 2. The right side attachment flange (26) includes an upper end and a lower end and the left side attachment flange (28) includes an upper end and a lower end. It is to be noted that each attachment flange (26 & 28) can be made from any material of engineering choice, such as sheet metal or the like. Further formation of the anchor (10) includes fixedly interconnecting the upward projecting right side edge (18) with the downward angled right side edge (22) and the lower end of the right side attachment flange (26) together by any suitable pivot able attachment means of engineering choice, such as by pivot pin (30). Therefore, the horizontal platform (14) and the spade (16) are fixedly attached together yet pivot able upon the lower end of the attachment flange (26). Final formation of the anchor (10) includes fixedly interconnecting the upward projecting left side edge (20) with the downward angled left side edge (24) and the lower end of the left side attachment flange (28) together by any suitable pivot able attachment means of engineering choice, such as by pivot pin (32). Therefore, the horizontal platform (14) and the spade (16) are fixedly attached together yet pivot able upon the lower end of the attachment flange (28). As further depicted herein each attachment flange (26 & 28) include at least one (or multiple) mounting holes (34) thus allowing each upper end of the flanges (26 & 28) to be attached onto a fence post (36) via any suitable attachment means of choice, such as by screws (38) or the like.

It can now be seen once the fence post anchor (10) has been attached onto the fence post (36) it is pivot able between an uninstalled position (depicted in FIG. 3) and an installed position(depicted in FIG. 4). Clearly when the anchor (10) assumes the uninstalled position the horizontal platform (14) is pivoted downwardly away from the underside of said post (36) with the spade (16) being pivoted inwardly toward the post (36). When the anchor (10) assumes the installed position the horizontal platform (14) is pivoted upwardly until flush with the underside of the post (36) and the spade (16) is pivoted outwardly away from the post (36).

Therefore, after the workman has prepared the fence post hole (40) they must first attach the anchor (10) onto the post (36) via the attachment means. Secondly the workman manually pivots the anchor (10) to ensure proper function. When ready to install, the workman places the anchor (10) into the uninstalled position before installation. It is to be noted the workman has predetermined the direction of the opposing force that the fence post will be subjected to so that when the anchor is properly installed the spade (16) will be aligned opposite of the pulling force. Thirdly, the workman drops the post (36) into the post hole (40) forcing the post (36) with the anchor (10) into contact with the bottom earth surface of the post hole. Whereby, upon contact with the bottom earth surface the anchor is automatically forced into the installed position within the post hole (40), thereafter the workman fills the post hole (40) with earth (42) and temps in the usual manner until properly compacted.

It can now be seen herein described is a novel and unique fence post anchor of which heretofore has not been taught. The anchor is cost effective to manufacture and sell. It is easily integrally formed and fabricated. It is easy to attach, install and most importantly automatically self-sets when dropped into the post hole.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made there from within the scope and spirit of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatuses. 

1. A fence post anchor comprising: a unitary integrally formed body member which when: fabricated forms a lower section in the shape of a horizontal platform and an upper section in the shape of a spade, said horizontal platform having an upward projecting right side edge and an upward projecting left side edge, said upward projecting right side edge and said upward projecting left side edge being opposed to each other, said spade having a downward angled right side edge and a downward angled left side edge, said anchor further including a right side attachment flange and a left side attachment flange, said right side attachment flange having an upper end and a lower end, said left side attachment flange having an upper end and a lower end, said upward projecting right side edge with said downward angled right side edge and said lower end of said right side attachment flange being fixedly pivot ably attached together by an attachment means, said upward projecting left side edge with said downward angled left side edge and said lower end of said left side attachment flange being fixedly pivot ably attached together by an attachment means and each said upper end being attachable onto a post.
 2. The fence post anchor of claim 1 is pivot able between an uninstalled position and an installed position, when said anchor assumes said uninstalled position said horizontal platform is pivoted downwardly away from the underside of said post with said spade being pivoted inwardly toward said post, when said anchor assumes said installed position said horizontal platform is pivoted upwardly until flush with said underside of said post with said spade being pivoted outwardly away from said post, Whereby; before installing said post into a post hole the workman first attaches said anchor onto said post, secondly said workman manually pivots said anchor into said uninstalled position, thirdly said workman drops said post into said post hole forcing said post with said anchor into contact with the bottom earth surface of said post hole, whereby; upon contact with said bottom earth surface said anchor is automatically forced into said installed position within said post hole, thereafter said workman fills and temps said post hole with earth until properly compacted. 